Antagonistic atmosphere won’t bother England, insists Rooney June 17, 2012 ENGLAND striker Wayne Rooney is adamant he and his team-mates will be fully prepared for a hostile crowd away to Ukraine in Donetsk as it is nothing they have not experienced before. Victory over Sweden on Friday night means England need only a point against Ukraine to advance to the European Championship quarter-finals and though [...]
Cavendish wins Tour warm up June 17, 2012 TOUR de France hopeful Mark Cavendish secured a morale-boosting victory in the run up to the epic event yesterday, grabbing his first-ever general classification win. Cavendish, Britain’s world champion cyclist, took the Ster ZLM Toer for Team Sky, holding onto the yellow jersey. Radobank’s Lars Boom came in second, eight seconds behind Cavendish. “I wanted [...]
Federer loses to Haas in Halle June 17, 2012 World No3 Roger Federer stumbled in his preparations for Wimbledon yesterday, losing the Gerry Weber Open final in Halle. German wildcard Tommy Haas completed a dream tournament by beating Federer 7-6 (7-5) 6-4. “If someone had said before that I was going to beat Roger Federer – probably the best player of all time – [...]
M’Vila drops Gunners hint June 17, 2012 France international midfielder and Arsenal target Yann M’Vila has admitted he is interested in joining the club for next season. “I have heard Arsenal are interested in me,” he said. “I like Arsenal and I like the Premier League. I don’t know what is happening with the clubs, but yes, I would be interested in [...]
Cook to continue attacking June 17, 2012 England captain Alastair Cook will stick with his attacking tactics for the second one-day international against West Indies tomorrow. “It makes it very hard for the opposition to get away from us,” Cook said, after England’s bowlers repaid his faith by bowling West Indies out for 172 on Saturday.
Ireland duo to miss final Test June 17, 2012 Ireland will be without centre Gordon D’Arcy and No8 Jamie Heaslip for Saturday’s final Test against New Zealand after suffering respective calf and finger injuries. Ulster’s Paddy Wallace will replace D’Arcy, though no one will be called up for Heaslip.
Hodgson: England’s skill can match Europe’s best June 14, 2012 ENGLAND manager Roy Hodgson has slammed suggestions that his players lack the technical qualities of their Continental counterparts, as they prepare for tonight’s Euro 2012 showdown with Sweden in Kiev. Hodgson’s comments came after France coach Laurent Blanc had slighted England, saying “a really good side” would have punished them more in the opening stages [...]
More of same is Roy’s best way forward June 14, 2012 ENGLAND are in danger of letting expectations get too high again just because they have drawn their opening match against France.The key for them is to build on a decent performance, particularly in the opening exchanges of that game, but take this competition stage by stage. They simply cannot have any grand plans when they [...]
Kallstrom at heart of more attacking side June 14, 2012 SWEDEN have long been known for their durability and aerial prowess but under Erik Hamren have been praised for casting aside the shackles of the safety-first tactics of predecessor Lars Lagerback in favour of a more ambitious approach. In fact analysis shows that the Scandinavians have steadily increased the number of shots per game over [...]
Not so Swede: Last meetings in big games June 14, 2012 World Cup 2006 England 2 Sweden 2 A close game best remembered for Joe Cole’s stunning 35-yard volley and Michael Owen’s horrific knee injury. England also twice conceded the lead. World Cup 2002 England 1 Sweden 1 England were unconvincing, despite taking the lead through Sol Campbell’s 24th-minute header. Sweden’s Niclas Alexandersson equalised from 20 [...]